Biomorphic containers with beak handle

ABSTRACT

Biomorphic containers are suitably formed to store food and beverages. A biomorphic container includes multiple chambers that are housed in a unified body with a separate lid that individually seals the multiple chambers to secure contents contained therein. A beak handle is provided to grasp the biomorphic container.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of patent application Ser.No. 12/726,177, filed Mar. 17, 2010, which claims the benefit ofProvisional Application No. 61/161,003, filed Mar. 17, 2009, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Unlike other meals, lunches are often eaten away from home. They aretypically stored in a lunch box, which is a container for storing a mealfor consumption, often at work or at school. The lunch box hashistorically been associated with schoolchildren. Use of lithographedmetal to manufacture lunch boxes since the 1950s gave way in the 1990sto the use of plastics.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter. One aspect includesa product form of the present subject matter which recites a biomorphiccontainer that comprises multiple chambers that are juxtaposed in aunified body. The biomorphic container further comprises a lid thatindividually seals the multiple chambers to secure contents containedtherein. The biometric container additionally comprises a beak handle tograsp the unified body.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an assembled, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a lidded container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 8 is a back view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 12 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 14 is a front view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 15 is a back view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 16 is an assembled, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 17 is an exploded, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of a lidded container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 22 is a front view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 23 is a back view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 27 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 28 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 29 is a front view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 30 is a back view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 31 is an assembled, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 32 is an exploded, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 33 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 34 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 35 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 36 is a side view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 37 is a top plan view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 38 is a bottom plan view of a lidded container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 39 is an isometric view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 40 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 41 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 42 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 43 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 44 is a bottom plan of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 45 is a top plan view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 46 is an isometric view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 47 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 48 is a side view of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 49 is a top plan of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 50 is a bottom plan view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 51 is an isometric view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 52 is a partial isometric view of an archetypical beak handle of anopened container in accordance with one embodiment of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 53 is a front plan view of an opened container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 54 is a partial side view of an archetypical beak handle of anopened container in accordance with one embodiment of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 55 is a partial top plan view of an archetypical beak handle of anopened container in accordance with one embodiment of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional of the partial top plan view of anarchetypical beak handle of an opened container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 57 is a partial side plan view of an archetypical beak handle of anopened container in accordance with one embodiment of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 58 is an assembled, isometric view of a lidded container inaccordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter;

FIG. 59 is a top plan view of a lidded container in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter; and

FIG. 60 is a bottom plan view of a lidded container in accordance withone embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present subject matter focus on food/beveragecontainers. Suitably, the shape of these containers is biomorphic,suggesting forms of living organisms. Many embodiments of the presentsubject matter comprise a biomorphic container that includes multiplechambers that are housed in a unified body with a separate lid thatindividually seals the multiple chambers to secure contents containedtherein. A beverage container suitably fits within one chamber amongmultiple chambers. When the present subject matter is provided as a kit,in addition to the multiple chambers that are housed in a unified bodywith a separate lid that individually seals the multiple chambers,stickers of various designs are provided to allow users of thebiomorphic containers to personalize their biomorphic containers.

FIGS. 1-15 illustrate one embodiment of a food container 100, and FIGS.58-60 illustrate another embodiment of another food container 100. Thefood container 100 includes a lid 102 and a unified body 104 withmultiple chambers 104 a, 104 b, and 104 c, all of which are juxtaposed.These multiple chambers 104 a-104 c are sealed to secure food bymultiple depressions 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c. These depressions 102a-102 c mate with the chambers 104 a-104 c and thereby seal the foodcontained therein. The lid 102 includes extremities, such as one or moreears 102 d, fins 102 e and 102 f, and tail 102 g. These extremitiesallow children's fingers or weakened elders' fingers to obtain anaccessibility purchase for prying loose the lid 102 from the unifiedbody 104. Suitably, these extremities extend from the lid 102 at anangle, such as a downward angle.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the food container 100 in twoparts, the lid 102 and the unified body 104 with multiple chambers 104a-104 c. One of the chambers houses a beverage container 310, such asthe chamber 104 b. The depressions 102 a-102 c of the lid 102 includesealing surfaces 102 h, 102 i, and 102 j. The sealing surfaces 102 h-102j touchingly align with rims 104 h, 104 i, and 104 j of the multiplechambers 104 a-104 c to secure the food contained therein. Bridges 102 kand 102 l of the lid 102 snuggle with bridges 104 k and 104 l of themultiple chambers 104 a-104 c to prevent food in one chamber from cominginto contact with food in another chamber. The rims 104 h-104 j aresuitably angled downward toward the multiple chambers 104 a-104 c.Similarly, the sealing surfaces 102 h-102 j are suitably angleddownward. The unified body 104 includes cuts 104 e, 104 f, and 104 g todefine voids that further allow children's fingers or weakened elders'fingers to obtain an accessibility purchase on the lid 102 for prying itloose from the unified body 104. A handle 104 d eases the transport ofthe food container 100.

In an alternate embodiment, to secure the food contained in the multiplechambers, the rims 104 h, 104 i, and 104 j define female mechanicaldepressions that mate with male mechanical projections of the sealingsurfaces 102 h, 102 i, and 102 j so as to engage to fasten but usuallynot to lock. In other embodiments, an upper surface of the unified body104, which includes the bridges 104 k and 104 l, the voids 104 e, 104 f,and 104 g, are angled, suitably downward. Extended beyond the uppersurface at a downward angle is the handle 104 d formed from a bail. Thebail, whose distal end is shaped like a partially opened beak from aside view, defines an opening through which a hand may be placed tograsp the unified body 104. The proximal end of the bail integrates withthe upper surface at two termini. The bail is in two portions. Oneportion has a first surface that is co-planar with the plane of thehandle which is extended from the upper surface of the unified body 104.The other portion has a second surface that diverges in a plane at anangle away from the plane of the first surface.

FIGS. 16-30 and 51-57 illustrate another embodiment of a food container160. The food container 160 includes a lid 162 and a unified body 164with multiple chambers 164 a, 164 b, 164 c, 164 o, and 164 q, all ofwhich are juxtaposed. These multiple chambers 164 a-164 q are sealed tosecure food by multiple depressions 162 a, 162 b, 162 c, 162 o, and 162q. These depressions 162 a-162 q mate with the chambers 164 a-164 q andthereby seal the food contained therein. The lid 162 includesextremities, such as ear 162 d and tail 162 g. These extremities allowchildren's fingers or weakened elders' fingers to obtain anaccessibility purchase for prying loose the lid 162 from the unifiedbody 164. Another lid 162 m leads to a hidden chamber that is part ofthe lid 162. Suitably, these extremities extend from the lid 162 at anangle, such as a downward angle.

FIG. 17 illustrates the embodiment of the food container 160 in twoparts, the lid 162 and the unified body 164 with multiple chambers 164a-164 q. One of the chambers houses a beverage container 310, such asthe chamber 164 b. The depressions 162 a-162 q of the lid 162 includesealing surfaces 162 h, 162 i, 162 j, 162 p, and 162 r. The sealingsurfaces 162 h-162 r touchingly align with rims 164 h, 164 i, 164 j, 164p, and 164 r of the multiple chambers 164 a-164 q to secure the foodcontained therein. Bridges 162 k, 162 l, 162 s, and 162 t of the lid 162snuggle with bridges 164 k, 164 l, 164 s, and 164 t of the multiplechambers 164 a-164 q to prevent food from one chamber from coming intocontact with food in another chamber. The rims 164 h-164 p are suitablyangled downward toward the multiple chambers 164 a-164 q. Similarly, thesealing surfaces 162 h-162 r are suitably angled downward. The unifiedbody 164 includes cut 164 g to define a void that further allowschildren's fingers or weakened elders' fingers to obtain anaccessibility purchase on the lid 162 for prying it loose from theunified body 164. A handle 164 d eases the transport of the foodcontainer 160.

In a different embodiment, to secure the food contained in the multiplechambers, the rims 164 h, 164 i, 164 j, 164 p, and 164 r define femalemechanical depressions that mate with male mechanical projections of thesealing surfaces 162 h, 162 i, 162 j, 162 p, and 162 r so as to engageto fasten but usually not to lock. In other embodiments, an uppersurface 164 u of the unified body 104, which includes the bridges 164 k,164 l, 164 s, and 164 t, as well as the void 164 g, are angled, suitablydownward. Extended beyond the upper surface 164 u at a downward angle isthe handle 164 d formed from a bail 164 v. The bail 164 v, whose distalend is shaped like a partially opened beak from a side view, defines anopening through which a hand may be placed to grasp the unified body164. The proximal end of the bail integrates with the upper surface attwo termini 164 w 1 and 164 w 2. The bail is in two portions. Oneportion 164 y has a first surface that is co-planar with the plane ofthe handle which is extended from the upper surface of the unified body164. The other portion 164 z has a second surface that diverges in aplane at an angle away from the plane of the first surface.

FIGS. 31-50 illustrate a beverage container 310 in accordance with oneembodiment of the present subject matter. The beverage container 310includes a lid 312 and a body 310 a. The lid 312 includes a neck 312 athat is substantially quadrilateral in shape. A flexible connector 312 csecures a lid 312 b to the neck 312 a. The lid 312 b includesextremities, such as fins 312 d, 312 e, and 312 f. These extremitiesallow children's fingers or weakened elders' fingers to obtain anaccessibility purchase for prying loose the lid 312 b from the neck 312a. The lid 312 b resistively snaps to an orifice 312 h of the neck 312 avia a pair of concentric annular projections 312 g, 312 i. The body 310a includes depressions 310 b, 310 c, to ease the gripping facility ofyoung children and elderly adults. The body 310 a also includes anorifice 310 d that is covered by the lid 312. The body 310 a includes aquartet of feet 310 e that stabilizes the beverage container 310 when itrests on a surface.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, itwill be appreciated that various changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A biomorphic container, comprising: multiple chambers that arejuxtaposed in a unified body; a lid that individually seals the multiplechambers to secure contents contained therein; and a beak handle tograsp the unified body.
 2. The biomorphic container of claim 1, whereinthe lid includes multiple depressions, each depression including asealing surface that touchingly aligns with a rim of a chamber to sealit from other chambers.
 3. The biomorphic container of claim 2, whereinthe lid includes extremities comprising an ear and a tail.
 4. Thebiomorphic container of claim 2, wherein the extremities include fins.5. The biomorphic container of claim 1, further comprising a beveragecontainer that is housed in one of the multiple chambers.
 6. Thebiomorphic container of claim 1, wherein the beak handle has twoportions that are angled from each other to define a beak-shapedstructure.
 7. The biomorphic container of claim 1, wherein the multiplechambers include three chambers.
 8. The biomorphic container of claim 1,wherein the multiple chambers include five chambers.